Letter 71 - Rayong, Inspections, Blessings, Tragic Accident, and More

Dear Loved Ones, 

Another week has flown by, filled with movie nights, blessings, house inspections, a trip to Rayong, and a tragic train and bus accident just behind the temple annex where we live. 

I am going to jump straight to the pictures for all the details!

But first please know how much we love and miss you all, and we thank you for your love, support, and prayers! 

Sincerely, 

Elder and Sister Brady (mom and dad, grandma and grandpa, John and Shelly, and so on)

Last Friday night we got together with Jessica and Kaitlyn! We met them for Pizza and then they came over for movie night Before pizza, we took a walk along the Klong to see if we could find the place Katrina and family will be staying in when they come to Thailand. 

It looks like a nice area! Yay! 

The pizza was yummy! On our way back, I had to get a picture of the pretty temple fountain lights.

Movie night! Diary of a Wimpy Kid 2!!

Good-bye Jess and Kaitlyn! Thanks for coming over!!

Saturday, we took off in the morning for Rayong! We have not been down south for 9 weeks! We were supposed to go 8 weeks ago, but John went into the hospital instead. Here we are waiting in the lobby of the condo for the missionaries to come and get us so we can inspect their apartment. 

After we checked out the Elder's place, we went to Humble Burger for lunch. Almost everyone had a burger, but I decided to try the Salmon Salad. The Salmon was on the thin side and tasted more like Salmon Bacon, but it was good :)! 

Selfie with the Rayong Elders and Sisters after lunch! 

Elders Richards, Casinillo, and Sisters Jasper and Zabala! 

Next stop in Rayong was the Sister's house inspection! Great job Sisters Jasper and Zabala!

After we checked into our hotel, we headed out to run some errands. 

John likes this little place where he gets a $3 haircut.

After the haircut, we went shopping and stopped for dinner, pictured above. 

Finally, we decided to take a walk around the Star Night Market. This little mannequin was a little scary.

This snack display was also scary. We decided to not to buy any pig snouts or pig ears.

But I didn't feel to bad, because there were plenty of interested customers!

We also did not try any of the fried insects. 

We had a nice walk through the Night Market! 

Sunday morning, we woke up to this terrible news. There had been an accident on Saturday afternoon on the railroad tracks right behind the annex where we live. A bus was stuck on the railroad tracks and the train could not stop. 

At least 8 people died and many people were injured.

Cars and motorcycles were swept away and the bus burst into flames.

It was such a tragedy. 

The train stop waiting area in flames.

Firefighters putting out the fire. 

So much loss. 

Above the smoke and just through the electric wires, you can see the annex where we live. (We were in Rayong when this happened).

In the circle, you can see the temple. 

Another view from the road.

Sunday morning after church in Rayong. 

The missionaries meet with some friends. 

Sister Jasper and I are looking at the yummy food I am about to taste!

Me and Sister Jasper and Mary Grace. 

Sunday afternoon, we got back to Bangkok and I went up to the roof to see the accident sight. 

We cross this intersection multiple times a week. Usually we walk across it on our way to the Sky Train. Sometimes we drive across it when we are heading to Rayong. 

Monday, after a day in the office, we met at the FX Hotel Restaurant for a dinner with all of the Senior Missionaries who live on the 5th floor of the Annex. The Thorsens and the Justensens are from the West Mission Office. The Calls and Bradys work in the East Mission Office. And the Whites are Area Missionaries here in Thailand. Elder White was one of the first missionaries in Thailand in the 60s and later he and his wife were mission leaders in Thailand in the 90s. In fact, our Mission President was a missionary when the Whites were Mission Leaders. 

Tuesday patriarchal blessings. This couple was here to go to the temple and receive their blessings. It was so fun to get to know Brother Arockiadass and his wife, Rani. He is a musician and played the trumpet in over 600 movies in India. Later he was a ministering musician in the Episcopal Church. From there he went on to become a music teacher. His children joined the church and then about 10 years ago, he and his wife joined the church. 

Wednesday morning on the train! We are on our way to the zone leader's place for a house inspection! 

On the elevator with Elders Olsen and Lutter after a successful house inspection! 

Pepper Lunch Break with the missionaries! 

Next stop Elders Auernig and Arganbright! They also did a terrific job! 

Thursday morning Facetime with Kevin! He is showing of his new work hat! He started a new job and is doing really well! We are happy for him :)! 

Thursday morning Blessings. This is the wonderful Rama family from India who was coming to Thailand to go to the temple and to receive their blessings. The father already had a blessing but the mother and daughter were getting there blessings. And a couple of weeks ago, Elder Brady had blessed their son who was in the MTC here in Thailand, 

Thursday evening we headed to Terminal 21 to go to the movies with the Whites! 

We saw The Devil Wears Prada 2.

And we enjoyed another ginormous popcorn!!

We took another picture with Melani and her dad on the first floor when we gave them their printed copies of their blessings!

Friday morning we headed out to go to another house inspection. We take the airport sky train to this apartment. Her is a picture of the accident site below. They are beginning to build a new train station (waiting platform) and there is a pile of flowers near the pillar in memory of so many lives lost. 

The office Elders and the APs (assistants to the President). They tried to really lower our expectations by telling us their house would be really bad, but it was actually super clean! We were impressed! 

Elder Fairy, us, Elders Saunders, Lowry, and Dollar!

Walking to catch the train for lunch! 

Pepper Lunch again!!Yay!! 

The mall where we ate, had a roller skating rink! I found out there is an ice skating rink here too! And bowling! We need to get out there and do some things! Before it is time to come home! 

Another view of the train tracks as we walk back to the office.

Friday afternoon, we were just going about our business, when who should pop in?! Our Sister Trainer Leaders! Sister Jenkins (who was in Bangkok forever but now lives far away) and Sister Brunt (who we hope will come to Bangkok one day) stopped by to say hello! They were in Bangkok spending time doing exchanges with some of the other Sisters who live here! We love our missionaries!! 

Well, that wraps up the week! 

I tried to get this out on Friday, but I was just too tired by Friday evening. So, it is actually Saturday late afternoon. We had a long, fun day with the Calls and the Justensens seeing some new sights in Bangkok! But you will have to check back in next week if you want to see and hear all about it!

Thanks for reading! 

We love you!